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The extractive industry has been faced with a situation where there has been no systematic and formalised training and education structure available. Previous structures which were available, e.g. the quarrying diploma and the mining papers as a part of an engineering degree, have suffered the same fate as the Dodo. They are now extinct.   In providing for a training strategy, the past strategies need to be examined and reasons behind their demise examined. This paper examines the reasons for past failures in education and training in the extractives industry, the factors that need to be taken into account in creating an education and training culture, the strategies required, the Government regulations and trans-Tasman agreements, and the quality management which must surround the entire training programme.

Jan 1, 1997

Two structurally and mineralogically distinct sulphiderich veins cross-cutting the disseminated sulphides of the Nairne Pyrite Member appear to be products of local remobilization of sulphides under fracture-induced free energy gradients during regional metamorphism and tectonic deformation.The contrasting mineralogy of the two vein types may have arisen as a result of differences in the structural orientation of the veins and!or the relative ages of the veins.

Jan 1, 1969

By Whiteman P. C, Stacey G. S, Hunter G. D

Processing of lead-zinc and copper ores by Mount Isa Mines Limited produces large quantit- ies of concentrator tailings waste which is pumped as a slurry to special dams where the solids are allowed to settle and dry out. These areas are unattractive and show no signs of encroachment by plant life even though the surfaces of some dams have remained undisturbed for more than a decade. During 1970 Mount Isa Mines Limited commenced a long term research program in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, University of Queensland to deter- mine possible methods of establishing a plant cover on this material. Research has defined the major factors limiting plant growth in the tailings medium. Modification of the edaphic conditions through fertilizer inputs, particularly of phosphorus and nitrogen, and alteration of "soil" physical properties by incorporation of mulching mater- ials, provided conditions which allowed plant growth. The outstanding "soil" amendment treatment was incorporation of fly ash, a waste product of the company's coal fired power stations. A range of crop and pasture species have been selected which have grown well with adequate irrigation under the amended conditions in the field. Further research is assessing a range of native plant species and agronomic techniques to provide a stable plant cover on the tailings dams.

Jan 1, 1974

By M Passmore, N Poznik

Olympic Dam is a world-class deposit and is unquestionably one of the most geologically, structurally and texturally complex orebodies in the world. As development advances into the Southern Mine Area (SMA) the geological understanding is rapidly evolving as underground drill rigs are prioritised to provide the additional data necessary to convert Indicated and Inferred Resources into Measured Resources. The SMA represents approximately 70 per cent of Olympic Dam’s total resource and is significantly more complex when compared to the Northern Mine Area with respect to the diverse nature and origin of lithotypes, rock mass characteristics and the extent of major structures controlling primary mineralisation trends.Recent mine development into the central SMA has been impacted by a major structural gouge zone. Sound geological interpretation allowed mine geologists to successfully integrate their local understanding of the distribution of lithotypes with critical geotechnical data, chiefly rock quality designation (RQD), to delineate and better predict this major structural gouge zone. As a direct result, development rates improved whilst also increasing awareness for the importance of sound geological interpretation utilising all available data. In order to maximise predictability across all systems in place through the mining geology value chain, the integration of geological and geotechnical data in a geotechnical RQD block model provides an additional tool to assist in preventative solutions for complex problems to achieve a proactive mining environment.This paper details the methods used to build the RQD block model, the geostatistical estimation parameters, 3D geotechnical domain wireframes, challenges regarding legacy approaches, and collection of geotechnical information and incorporating/linking geotechnical data with geological features, including the use of grade and lithotype domains. Although the geotechnical block model proved difficult and complex to construct, the resultant product has seen successful integration of geological and geotechnical data into mine planning providing higher resolution of critical parameters for local mining areas.CITATION:Clark, J M, Passmore, M and Poznik, N, 2017. Olympic Dam rock quality designation model – an integrated approach, in Proceedings Tenth International Mining Geology Conference 2017, pp 27–36 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 20, 2017

By G R. Ballantyne, M S. Powell

A comprehensive Australia-wide survey of comminution energy consumption at copper and gold mines was presented by the authors at the 11th AusIMM Mill Operators’ Conference 2012. The database has been extended to include major overseas mines and used to benchmark comminution energy consumption across the industry. The mines included in this study now represent 15 and 24 per cent of the total global gold and copper production respectively, and almost all Australian production. The comminution energy intensity per unit of saleable metal has been presented in a graphical form similar to a cost curve used in economics. The graphical method has been developed to assess the competitive advantage that can be achieved by reducing comminution energy intensity.This benchmarking tool has been applied to three published case studies to assess its applicability. The first case study indicated that a large reduction in size-specific energy (kWh/t -75 µm) was achievable by converting standard semi-autogenous and ball mill circuits to include high pressure grinding roll and stirred mills. The second case study investigated the metal-specific energy reduction historically achieved by Bougainville with the addition of a preconcentration screening plant. The final case study was conducted by Barrick Gold Corporation and involved incremental efficiency upgrades at three of its gold mines: Cortez, Cowal and Mara North. The application of the benchmarking tool to each of these case studies successfully demonstrated the scale and competitive advantage that was achieved by reducing energy intensity.CITATION:Ballantyne, G R and Powell, M S, 2014. Benchmarking comminution energy consumption for improved efficiency, in Proceedings 12th AusIMM Mill Operators’ Conference 2014 , pp 95–100 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 1, 2014

Remediation of Mine Seepage at Batu Hijau

Sep 13, 2010

By Mann V. I

The Mount Isa property has been in operation since June, 1931; during this period operations have changed from the production and treatment of carbonate ores to the mining, milling, and smelting of sulphide ores. This change involved revision of ore-extraction methods.Stoping methods have been designed to apply to parallel lodes ranging from 10 ft. to over 100 ft. in width and dipping at 50° to 60°. The hardness and strength of the ore and enclosing wall rocks, together with the strength and thickness of the country rock between lodes, have permitted the selection of a sub-level stoping method for mining the sulphide ores.

Jan 1, 1938

By French D

In presenting this paper may I preface my remarks by recognizing the presence here to-day of the many delegates from the overseas mining communities throughout the world. That is to say - those delegates not representative of Companies resident in Australia. This does not mean that my comments following are directed solely to the Australian exporter - far from it. The Company which I represent is internationally based. The experiences we have had in dealing and negotiating with our good friends the mineral cargo shippers vary very little in any operational area. However for the purposes of this exercise this address is based on some of our experiences within the Australian trade scene with the emphasis on the fact that we believe it has application to all trading areas.

Jan 1, 1989

By Madgwick J. C

Powders prepared from the algae Gracilaria secundata, Ulva lactuca and Ecklonia radiatawere shown to provide sole nutritional support for microbial, microaerobic, biodegradation of low-grade manganese dioxide ore. G. secundata was the most effective bacterial nutrient giving 32 per cent recovery of Mn++, at an average rate of 63 mg Mn++/litre/day and a yield of 24 mg Mn++/g dry powder in microaerobic cultures containing 1.5 per cent (w/v)MnOz ore and 3per cent (w/v) powder over 14 days. Although G. secundata was approximately half as effective as molasses in supporting microbial decomposition ofMnOz, possible on-site growth ofthe alga could be economicaIIy more practical than transporting carbohydrate to a distant mine site.

Jan 1, 1987

By D Kotzen

Online cyanide analysers have been successfully used to control free cyanide in the gold/silver leach process for over 15 years. Use of such analysers leads to cyanide savings and improvement in recoveries. Plants with leach cyanide analysers show both lower and more consistent cyanide levels in tailings. Cyanide code compliance requires meeting residual cyanide targets in tailings. Monitoring and logging of the residual cyanide in plant tailings and effluent is required. Meeting targets may require cyanide recovery/destruction processes to be implemented. The operating cost of destroying cyanide is often the same order of magnitude as the cyanidation cost. Various cyanide destruction and/or recovery processes are reviewed. Choice of a process consistent with the environmental and operational requirements is illustrated. Online weak acid dissociable cyanide (CNWAD) analysers have recently been developed and introduced on gold plants. The application of a WAD 1000 online CNWAD analyser at a large gold plant is presented. The analyser ensures code compliance, reduces cyanide destruction process operating costs and forms a historical record of CNWAD values in tailings.

Jan 1, 2007

By B Miles, D J. Williams, J Ahn, T A. Vangsness

The flooding of open strip coal mines in the Bowen Basin and Hunter Valley Coalfields of Eastern Australia has the potential to soften the spoil and floor materials to produce “mud”. This mud can act as a slip plane or weak zone when spoil is dumped into it, resulting in geotechnical instabilities. It is therefore important to understand the mechanisms and degree of degradation likely to occur within coal mine spoil of different qualities.To investigate this, five clay mineral-rich coal mine spoil samples were collected from the Bowen Basin, and each sample was subjected to wetting and drying cycles to simulate degradation that could be expected on wetting-up in situ, with their particle size distribution analysed both before and after degradation. These results were compared with the results of a modified slake durability test, in which the entire sample was tested.The paper presents the results of the accelerated degradation and modified slake durability tests on each of the five spoil samples. These results were related to the physical and geochemical characteristics of the samples, which highlighted their importance. The modified slake durability test may be used to rapidly simulate the expected in situ degradation of coal mine spoil on wetting-up, enabling susceptible spoil materials to readily be identified.CITATION:Vangsness, T A, Williams, D J, Ahn, J and Miles, B, 2018. Accelerated degradation and modified slake durability testing of clay mineral-rich coal mine spoil, in Proceedings Mine Waste and Tailings Stewardship Conference 2018, pp 83–96 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 23, 2018

By I M. Platten, Y Xie

Complex gold deposits are generally characterised by variable geometries, strong structural controls on grade distribution and a high-nugget effect. The use of diamond drilling and fire assays in this environment often results in an understatement of grade. Bulk samples are likely to be the closest estimators of true grade, and may be required to evaluate geological/grade risk during resource estimation/feasibility studies. Any bulk sampling program requires appropriate planning and implementation. The planning stage should attempt to delimit the extent and nature of mineralisation; characterise mineralogy and metallurgical properties of the ore; and define bulk sample size and how it will be sampled/processed. The approach to sample processing will be governed by the results of metallurgical testing and geological knowledge. Careful design of sampling protocols must be undertaken through material characterisation, understanding of gold particle sizing and the application of GyÆs Sampling Theory.

Jan 1, 2008

By Robson W. D, Irwin D. A

In November, 1932, an investigation of silicosis was undertaken at the, McIntyre Porcupine Mine, Schumacher, Ont., atfer a discussion of the problem with Sir Frederick Banting and his, staff. As a result it was decided to carry on dusting experiments with animals at the mine in a manner that would duplicate as far as possible actual industrial conditions.At that time 50, guinea pigs were placed in the crusher nouse tunnel of the mill where a considerable quantity of fine dust, containing approximately 35 per cent., of free silica, was being constantly produced. These animals lived in this atmosphere for periods up to one year, and, while on autopsy large amounts of dust were found in the lungs, not a single case of silicosis had developed. These negative results suggested, among other things, that the mine gases might be a predisposing factor in the production of silicosis, and the results of this investigation led us to undertake the study of the hydrogen-ion concentration of the condensate of the atmosphere, both in the mine and in various sections of the mill.The C02 combining power of blood serum on a series of 400 miners was also studied at this time. While these results were inconclusive, the variation in the hydrogen-ion concentration of the condensate between the surface and underground atmospheres encouraged us to investigate the effect of neutral, weak acid and alkaline solutions on the solubility of silicious materials. Gye and Purdy were the first to point out that the chemical reaction and not the physical presence of silicious material was responsible for the production of the fibrosis in silicosis. This work was investigated by Gardner and Cummings who showed that the tissue reaction to quartz was definitely proportional to the size of the particle. They found that 1-3 micron particles of quartz produced an acute proliferative fibrotic response while the 10-12 micron particles produced only a foreign body reaction up to a period of three years. It is accepted that the dangerous silica particles retained by the lung are under 5 microns in diameter. We assumed that if the solubility of the silicious material retained in the lung could be reduced sufficiently by the addition of some non-toxic element or compound the usual fibrotic respohse would be modified. We found that the addition of certain compounds to silica would reduce its solubility in the beaker to a slight extent. But these compounds, when mixed with quartz...

Jan 1, 1945

The mining industry to the lay mind is one which appears peculiarly dangerous, partly because the accidents which take place are usually of a very tragic nature, and partly because other, industries claim victims more from disease than fromviolence, and their fatal nature is not advertised to the same degree so that in spite of this idea of unusual risk, it is a fact that mining will compare favourably, as regards vital statistics, with nearly all other trades requiring special training.Neverthelessthere are a larger number offatal and serious accidents occurring year by year than one would like to see, and could the deaths which take place by accident be eliminated, it is safe to say that mining would become one of the most healthy of all species of skilled labour. If we examine the accidents appearing yearly in the reports of the Mining Departments of the various colonies, it will be at once admitted that many of them need riot, and in many cases ought not to, have occurred.It is, therefore, the object of tbis essay, to pass under review the ordinary precautions which should be adopted to minimise, as far as possible, the dangerous factors whereby fatalities are brought about.

A description is given of the construction and operation of an automatic version of the coarse batch particle sizer which requires a minimum of operator supervision and which is capable of processing a sample every 4 min.

Jan 1, 1968

Several factors contributing to the loss of fibre during treatment are a function of the paragenesis of the veins. The occurrence, of magnetite from the cap rock within the veins prevents complete fiberization. There is a marked similarity between these veins and those in the Koegas-Westerberg area of South Africa.INTRODUCTIONAn investigation of the mineralogy of the Wittenoom Gorge crocidolite veins was undertaken in the latter part of 1962 at the request of the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. Ltd. It was anticipated that such a study might reveal the cause or causes of the lack of recovery of some asbestos during beneficiation. Some interesting features of the mineralogy and paragenesis of the crocidolite veins become apparent, but it is emphasized that the investigation is far from complete, as the study did not extend to the field occurrence.The samples examined were selected from the mill and from the untreated ore.GEOLOGICAL SETTINGWittenoom Gorge is situated on the Fortescue River in the Hammersley Ranges of Western Australia and is one of several gorges in these ranges, on the sides of which 'crocidoIite asbestos is known to occur. The Hammersley, Ranges consist essentially of a series of quartzites, shales, ferruginous quartzites and dolomites. These' rocks are part of the Nullagine Formation (Proterozoic) and are usually either horizontal or gently folded. In some 'areas small beds of riebeckite as well as crocidolite are known to occur interbedded in the sequence.Riebeckite is a monoclinic amphibole, the formula of which may be stated as Na2Fe2"Fe2" (OH) 2Si8O22, and crocidolite is a fibrous variety of this mineral. This formula...

Jan 1, 1963

By R Verreet

In April 2000 Mount Isa Mines installed hoist ropes of a new design on the double-drum winder at their P49 shaft. The ropes, CASAR Duroplast, were about three times as expensive as the previously used triangular strand ropes. The P49 shaft is situated at Mount Isa MinesÆ George Fisher Mine, located some 30 km north of Mt Isa. This shaft used the tried and proven 6 x 33 triangular strand style ropes. The rope life attained by these ropes at the time was acceptable due to many years of satisfactory performance. The following study indicates the improvement of service life using CASAR Duroplast rope in P 49 shaft, which depends on shaft and winder parameters of that particular shaft and cannot necessarily be generalised to other shafts.

Jan 1, 2005

By D J. Brake

There has been a strong trend over the past decade in hard rock mines towards the use of very high powered auxiliary (or secondary) fans; in many mines, the installed power for the secondary ventilation system now exceeds that of the primary ventilation system. This also reflects the trend to use two-stage auxiliary fans pushing air into a single ‘trunk’ duct that in turn splits into multiple branches with multiple outlets feeding multiple workplaces. This often produces a poor result in terms of face flows due to the high resistance, high leakage and badly managed duct outlets, as well as high fan capital and operating (power) costs, which in turn also results in a higher cost for the underground power reticulation/distribution systems. This paper explores the reasons why this trend exists and what ventilation practitioners can do to utilise less expensive systems that simultaneously deliver better workplace conditions. It includes a case study.CITATION:Brake, D J, 2017. Auxiliary ventilation design – why and how mines waste so much power on inferior systems, in Proceedings Australian Mine Vent Conference 2017, pp 27–34 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 28, 2017

By M D. Hannington

On the southern flank ofLihir Island, a group of three volcanic cones were discovered at water depths from 1000 - 1500 m. The volcanoes are located in a narrow zone of recent seismic activity and elevated heat flow (up to 100 mW/m2). The recovered rocks consist of fresh alkali-olivine basalts, clinopyroxene-rich basalts, and porphyritic phlogopite basalts. One of the volcanoes has a recently erupted ejecta blanket (recovery of warm ash!), containing a suite of abundant mafic to ultramafic xenoliths. These xenoliths appear to represent a unique cross-section of subduction-modified mantle material sampled by volatile-rich primary fore-arc magma during its ascent to the seafloor. The most spectacular finding was the discovery of an active hydrothermal system with associated vent fauna and mineralization at Edison Seamount, and the recovery of unusually gold-rich (up to 43 ppm Au) hydrothermal precipitates in 1050 m water depth at the top of Conical Seamount, only 25 km south of the world-class epithermal Ladolam gold deposit on Lihir. The discovery of submarine hydrothermal vents associated with highly alkaline, quartz-undersaturated fore-arc volcanics represents a significant departure from similar hydrothermal systems on the mid-ocean ridges and in back-arc basins. The high gold grades in hydrothermal precipitates at Conical Seamount may indicate the first documented example of a shallow-marine epithermal system analogous to those known on land, and has important implications' for the gold potential of submarine arc environments.

Jan 1, 1995

This paper describes the methods of constructing timber barricades against pillars of ore in the South Mine, property of Broken Hill South Limited, Broken Hill, N.S.W., and discusses the behaviour of the various types of barricade alongside trucked sand filling and hydraulic stowed sand filling.Since the introduction of hydraulic stowing, cut and fill and overhand square letting methods have been used in mining the pillars. Such methods could not be used where the pillars had failed badly. The filling used is partially deslimed concentrating millresidue containing among other gangue minerals, calcite and a small amount of pyrrhotite and pyrite.The author is indebted to the mine superintendent of Broken Hill South Limited for permission to publish this paper.OLD METHODS OF CONSTRUCTING BARRICADES.Square Set Stopes.Before filling each stope the outer row of legs was lined inside with 10 in. x 2 in. boards spaced 2 in. apart. It was usual to tie the row of legs and caps together with timber dogs. As the space between the barricade and ground varied from nil to several feet, it was general practice to fill behind the lining boards. No provision was made to retain this sand during subsequent pillar stoping, consequently a run of sand right up the barricade could cause adilution of ore and serIOUS dIstortion of the barricade.

Jan 1, 1946